It’s battle of state runner-up’s who are looking to get back to the top of the mountain as 5A-Division II runner-up South Oak Cliff heads down I-45 to visit last year’s 6A-Division I runner-up Galena Park North Shore.

The Golden Bears expect to have one of the top defensive units in the state with Arkansas LB commit Jayden Shelton and Baylor DE commit Kamauryn Morgan leading the way along with a veteran secondary. The Golden Bears will have some questions on offense as new faces will be expected to take on big roles in 2024.

As talented and physical as the Golden Bears expect to be, North Shore is all that and potentially more with QB Kaleb Bailey, who is entering his fourth year as a starter, and WR’s Deion DeBlanc and Colorado commit Quannell Farrakhan. Junior RB D’Andre Hardman is a low to the ground, tough runner who has tremendous hips. He’ll run behind a veteran offensive line.

North Shore’s defense is loaded with talent with Ohio State five-star CB commit Devin Sanchez and LSU commit Charles Ross as the headliners. North Shore’s defensive line will need a star or two to emerge along with getting depth, but all the pieces are in place for this team to again challenge for a state title in 6A.

SOC keeps it close, but North Shore wears down the ‘Bears in the fourth.

Stepp’s Pick: Galena Park North Shore by 15